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"Soviet propagandists during the cold war were trained in a tactic that their western interlocutors nicknamed “whataboutism”. Any criticism of the Soviet Union
by apsec112 10y ago
"Soviet propagandists during the cold war were trained in a tactic that their western interlocutors nicknamed “whataboutism”. Any criticism of the Soviet Union (Afghanistan, martial law in Poland, imprisonment of dissidents, censorship) was met with a “What about...” (apartheid South Africa, jailed trade-unionists, the Contras in Nicaragua, and so forth)." - http://www.economist.com/node/10598774 http://www.economist.com/node/10598774
- coldtea 10y agoAnd why not? Whataboutism is only fair: it means people discuss both sides, and judge things in relation, not in isolation. A discussion that doesn't contain a "what about" element is one-sided. Those criticizing "whataboutism" only want their own shit to be left out of the discussion. That some would call whataboutism a bad thing just goes to show how much some pots are used to be the only ones allowed to call the kettle black.